Dell grows Celtic fringe

850 jobs in Glasgow by 2008

Dell will create more than 850 jobs in Scotland by 2008 with a new sales and support call centre operation in Glasgow. The first 400 jobs will be in place by 2006, the company said.

The new centre will provide sales and support services for Dell's enterprise and public sector customers. It will be housed in the old Imperial Factory, a building that was at the heart of the tobacco industry in the city for more than a century, and has recently been refurbished by the city council.

According to Scotland Today Dell officials finalised the terms of the deal with Jack McConnell, Scotland's First Minister. The paper reports that Glasgow's skills base was key to its selection, but we reckon the Scottish government's decision to back the project with an offer of Regional Selective Assistance - a grant worth almost £7.5 million - must have helped.

Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace acknowledged that Scotland cannot compete on cost alone in a global market. "We must ensure that we provide investors like Dell with a high quality business environment that is adaptable and responsive to the needs of that individual business," he said.

First Minister Jack McConnell added that the challenge for Scotland now will be to entice other companies to follow Dell's lead.

The news follows a recent announcement that Dell plans to create another 420 jobs at its European Business Centre in Ireland. ®